Knotting mechanism for spiralspring forming machines



Apnl 18, 1950 s. BARSANTI 2,504,792

KNOTTING MECHANISM FOR SPIRAL-SPRING FORMING MACHINES Filed 001:. 17, 1947 17 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 18, 1950 sANTl 2,504,792

5. BAR KNOTTING MECHANISM FOR SPIRAL-SPRING FORMING MACHINES Filed Oct. 17, 1947 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aprll 18, 1950 s. BARSANT] 2,504,792

KNOTTING MECHANISM FOR SPIRAL-SPRING FORMING MACHINES Filed Oct. 17, 1947 17 Sheets-Sheet 5 Apnl 18, 1950 s. BARSANTI 2,504,792 KNOTTING MECHANISM FOR SPIRALSPRING FORMING MACHINES Filed Oct. 17, 1947 17 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aprll 18, 1950 5 BARSANT] 2,504,792

KNOTTING MECHANISM FOR SPIRAL-SPRING FORMING MACHINES Filed 00t- 17', 1947 17 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aprll 18, 1950 s. BARSANTI 2,504,792

KNOTTING MECHANISM FOR SPIRAL-SPRING FORMING MACHINES Filed 001:. 17, 1947 17 Sheets-Sheet '7 yzz/z'agmwzi April 18, 1950 s. BARSANTI 2,504,792 KNOTTING MECHANISM FOR SPIRAL-SPRING FORMING MACHINES Filed (Bot. 17, 1947 l7 Sheets-Sheet 8 Aprll 18, 1950 s. BARSANTI 2,504,792

KNOTTING MECHANISM FOR SPIRAL-SPRING FORMING MACHINES Filed Oct. 17, 1947 17 Sheets-Sheet 10 Rpm] 18, 1950 s, BARSANT] 2,504,792

KNQTTING MECHANISM FUR SPIRAL-SPRING FORMING MACHINES Filed Oct. 17, 1947 17 Sheets-Sheet ll Aprll 18, 1950 s, BARSANTI 2,504,792 KNOTTING MECHANISM FOR SPIRAL-SPRING FORMING MACHINES Filed Oct. 17, 1947 17 Sheets-Sheet l2 Apn] 18, 1950 s. BARSANTI 2,504,792

KNOTTING MECHANISM FOR SPIRAL-SPRING FORMING MACHINES Filed Oct. 17, 1947 4 17 Sheets-Sheet 1s April 18, 1950 s. BARSANTI KNOTTING MECHANISM FOR SPIRAL-SPRING FORMING MACHINES l7 Sheets-Sheet 14 Filed Oct. 17, 1947 v w a w 3 Z 2 .le. 3 2 W v o 9 m m g 2 a M g a 6 w z w w 9 W w Q g April 18, 1950 s. BARSANTI KNOTTING MECHANISM FOR SPIRAL-SPRING FORMING MACHINES l7 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed Oct. 17, 1947 April 18, 1950 s. BARSANT] 2,504,792

KNOTTING MECHANISM FOR SPIRAL-SPRING FORMING MACHINES Filed Oct. 17, 1947 17 Sheets-Sheet l6 April 18, 1950 $,BARSANT1 2,504,792

KNOTTING MECHANISM FOR SPIRAL-SPRING FORMING MACHINES I Filed Oct. 17, 1947 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 17 I 72062/077' flw. M47222,

Patented Apr. 18, 1950 UNITED STATES 5,504,7'92 KNOTTI NG Eoi iANIsii/fi oR SPIRAL- SPRING FORMING MACHINES Silvio Barsa nti, San Francisco, alifa' as siiior to Simmons Company, Kenosha, Wisz, a comaration of Delaware Application October 17, 194i, seriu'N'o; item Claims. (01. 140 101) st'ered or sleepingffurnitur, wire of a suitable size is run through a f rming die and issues there- 30 i p tfu'h l 9 th fliggmffifiiafld mm in spiral form. Subsequently the two free e s nt S 9W? f n ends have'tobe twisted around the respectively FE- O d m c l PP 5 stage adjacent gq q t n e. t0 form a knot. llln yhe course of travel of a spring through the In the inachine shownanddescribed in the aiore aq me V. I L I said patent the twisting of these free spring ,i F1, mt i i a? Y%i" taken, ends is effected in succession for each spring. on w l P PUP 312 Howeven'the'second knot on one spring is being 12 an nla s e Sectional n effected simultaneously with the twisting of the through one of the devmis by means of Whmh first knot on a subsequently-formed sprin n th? gangs azepo-mrg-yed one of the operi i I ating devices to another erally 11; 18 of no moment that the twisted ends Fig i-san enlarged one of thse or knots on one s rin are not in alin'einen a axia ly of the finish ed siring. However for use spn-ng gqnwyle-ng mean-st. -z i parts being in certain types of automatically-operated ma- Fmt away-.agd h p am 9t to more clearly chine used for assembling a plurality of these line coil springs into a bed spring, it is important that s n these'twisted ends bein' approximate alinernent axially or the respectivespring. 9 eleva'tl-qnl The 'main' objects or this invention, therefore, $51 2 t I I H. 1 T 3 th; iyp ZiZSiES Sdin ii e ifiiiei ifmtfi g i -r g g e z sg viewed rom epaneo eine 0 g."- States patent, for adiust ng the spiral spring in the secondknot-tying position so that'the knots 5 3g zg ggggg g fig g gg g gg ig of formed i YP 1 9 Spring are Very l ig 1&5 is a sectional end elevation taken on the nearly if not'exaetl'y in'alinernent axially of the W lire a s' fi i spring;to rovide an im roved form and'mounting" J v of the cen tering head o f the second k'notting de- 19-1s sectlpnali elevatmn of vice for rnachines of this kindto provide anim the inottmg devlces taken on the lme 19-48 of i eiw, of e e y b Sp. W h e the operatin .cams shown in Fig. 19; therein is rotatably adjusted so as to dispose 21 is g 'fi s il r-t 'iei 91 shpwing v t; B. 0 which the second knot- 18 forrned. zzland 23 areseqtion's on the lines z In he ac p nyin r win M and' is-+23 respectively of Fig. 2;;

g; 1 s a plan y o a n a ip s s- Fig. 24 is an illustration of the knotting gear inaenine emsodylng this lnventlon; shown in Fig. 22 after the knot has been formed; F g. 2 s a side elevation of the same; Fig. '25 is a sectional elevation taken on the Fig. 3 is an end' elevation of the left hand end 1ine"25-;25 of Fig. 4, certain parts being omitted or the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2; to clarify the illustration;

Fig. 4' is a; sectional elevation taken on the Figs. 26an'd 2'7 are reversed views of the parts plane of the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; shown'in' the upper portion of Fig. 25 taken Fig 5 is a side elevation of a portion of the inwardly'of the parts-shown in dotted outline; machmeas viewed from the plane of the line "Fig. 28 is'an enlarged sectional elevational View 5-45- of Fig. 4; taken on-th'e line 28- 28" of Fig; 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentarir'd et'ail taken on the lizie 6-56 or Figs. 2 andlfi; M n

"Fig. '7 is a more or less diagrarninatie side elev'ation of theeoordiiiated relationship of the spring formin and knott'in'gfmechanisms and the conveying mechanism wherebyjthe springs are moved to and through the successive operations; Fig. 3 is adetailillustrative of apartofthe niechanis n shown in Fig. 7

Fig. 29 is an enlarged plan view of the improved spring-centering head for the second knotter;

Fig. 30 is an end elevation of the spring-centering head as viewed from the right-hand side of Fig. 29, the parts being shown in the position occupied prior to their engagement of a coil spring preparatory to its being shifted into knotting position; and

Fig. 31 is a view similar to Fig. 30 but showing the parts shifted angularly for the purpose of bringing the end of the coil spring into position for knotting.

Fig. 32 is a sectional view of the improved spring-centering head as shown in Fig. 29.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION With particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a machine embodying this invention includes a coil-forming mechanism A, a coil-spring conveying mechanism B, first and second knotters C and D, and coil-spring sizing mechanism E. The coil springs formed by the coiling mechanism A are transported by the conveyor mechanism B (Fig. 2) to the other mechanisms. The knotting mechanism in the present instance includes a pair of knotting devices indicated at C and D respectively, these devices being respectively operable to tie or knot the opposite free ends of the springs formed by the coiling mechanism. Upon completion of the second knotting operation, the springs are conveyed from the second knotter D to a sizing mechanism E which is located at the entrance to a spring receptacle F in which the completed and sized springs are nested so that large quantities of the springs occupy a minimum of space and may be conveniently handled and stored for future use.

The coil-forming mechanism The coil-forming mechanism A is preferably of the type disclosed in United States Patent 1,681,728, issued August 21, 1928, to John F. Gail. Briefly described, such a wire-coiling mechanism includes wire-straightening rolls or the like indicated at 35 through which spring wire 35 passes to be straightened. The wire 36 is guided by suitable guides 3'! through cooperating upper and lower feed roll pairs 38 and 39 respectively which are actuated to intermittently advance the wire to form the springs. The wire is directed against a coiling block 40 which bends the wire into coil form. A pitch block All is provided for controlling the spacing or pitch of the coils. A cut-off device 42 is provided for severing the completed spiral spring from the wire supply during the intervals in which the feed rolls 3B and 39 are made inoperative to advance the wire.

The coiling mechanism thus far described is in all material respects the same as that shown in the aforesaid Patent No. 1,681,728, and the operating mechanism may also be the same. Hence, further detailed description of the coiling mechanism is deemed unnecessary in this description. However, there has been added to the coiling mechanism of said patent, a shield indicated at 43 for preventing accidental entanglement of the last formed portion of each coil spring with the .adjacent mechanism of the coiling machine or with the adjacent portion of the wire stock which is being directed against the coiler block. This shield 43 may conveniently be mounted on the pitch block ll as clearly shown in Fig; 2.

The coiling mechanism may be driven from a main power shaft 44 to which power is transmitted by a belt driven pulley 45 and suitable clutch mechanism indicated at 46 (see Fig. 3)...

A coil spring formed by the coil mechanism A is indicated at S (Fig. 2). This reference character also denotes the first position of a spring in the machine wherein is incorporated the invention later to be described.

. The conveying mechanism The conveying mechanism B includes an elongated carriage or rider 513 which in cross-section is more or less I-shaped as clearly indicated in Fig. 15 and is provided with outwardly extendouter end of the arm 10 thereof to move downing flanges ail-5i on its opposite sides whereby the carriage is slidably mounted on a pair of supporting rails or bars 52-52. The supporting rails 52-52 are mounted at one end on bracket 53 which is supported by the frame of the coiling mechanism A (see Fig. 2). The opposite ends of the rails 5252 are supported by means of brackets such as indicated at 55 and 55, the latter being mounted on conveniently accessible stationary parts of the main framework of the knotting and sizing mechanism. The said main framework is designated by the reference character 56 (see Fig. 2). longitudinally along the rails 5252 and camactuated means is provided for efiecting reciprocation of the carriage along the said rails.

As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, this actuating means includes a cam 51 which is keyed to a main power shaft 58. The main power shaft 58 extends transversely of the knotting mechanismand is mounted in suitable bearings provided in the supporting framework of the machine. The cam 5? acts on the free end of a bell crank arm 59 (see Figs. 2 and '7) to rock the bell crank about its pivot 59, the said free end of the arm being provided with an anti-friction roller 5|. The other arm of the bell crank is indicated at 62 and has its free end connected by means of a chain 63 to the left hand end'of the carriage 50. The chain 63 is adjustably connected to the free end of the bell crank arm 62 by any suitable means such as indicated in Fig. '7 and it extends upwardly to a roller64 over which it passes as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and '7. At the left-hand end of the machine, the chain 63 passes around a roller 65, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The adjacent end of the chain is connected to the lefthand end of the carriage by means of an attaching bracket 66 or the like. When the carriage 50 is in its right-hand position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the bell crank arm 62 is in an up-position, as shown in Fig. 2. The cam 51 is then operative to effect downward movement of the arm 62 and consequent movement of the carriage towards the left-hand end of the mechanism.

Similar mechanism is provided for moving the carriage towards the right. This mechanism includes a bell crank 61 which is pivotally mounted on the pivot rod 60. One arm 68 (see Fig. 8) of the bell crank 6'! is adapted to be actuated by a cam 69 and the other arm 10 of the bell crank is connected by means of a chain H to the righthand end of the carriage. The chain ll extends upwardly from the outer end of the bell crank arm 10 and over a pulley 12 (see Fig. 1) and is connected to the right-hand end of the carriage by means of a connecting bracket or the like indicated at 13. When the carriage is in its lefthand position as represented in Fig. '7, the bell crank 51 is substantially in the position as indicated in Figs. 7 and 8 and the cam 69 is then operative to swing the bell crank so as to cause the The carriage 56 is slidable' gripping units lin 'this vinstance one of which is indicated'at ase qnd atGE, an a ird atGi enF ss if9; nd i1 1; bs. er p er G erv s to .cbnws] prins rn mth 9 mechan t the 4 C he: gripper G for conveyin 7' sprin s v l mg't fi st z not erfi C. to. the ond; ot r; n he ripper G?" r conveying sprinesi iimt e secon k iotter t th zi g.

mechanism E. The respective gripping; devices h are 7 substantially the same, construction "except that the ondripp r E uarransed to t 180, e rees. du inei s rav t m,.. h .fir. .t knotter' to, the-second, khotter. so' as to reverse th'eqspring. carried thereby, whereby the endjleit I unlinotted by theknotter C, is .presented to the knotteipD, it being pbserv'ed that both knotters are arranged in linefon thesame, side of the path of travel ofthe,spring,

he-l m m rippe Describing, first.;the;gripp er G?,- reference is; directedmar icu ar a -;Fies. 1 1e 4 nd. 5-.

and is -rotatably-; mqunted jn the carriage 59, a suitable apertured ,gboss being provided therein for receiving the sleeve; A bushingfldmaybe provided for eliminating wearand insuring smooth: operation; ofhthermechanisrn. The sleeve 'Fiwis provided ,with'an, internal or inwardly-ex tending ,flange .'I1---adjacent its; lower end, and the 7 lower end of the sleeve outwardly of the carriage 59. is vbifurcated 18.0- as tqlforrn ears 18,18. As seen in Fig. i3,:,the ,ears. -1 8 -18 :servetopivotally receive. a pair; of.;spring,-gr ipping jaws l9;'l9,; these-jaws being,ipivotallyjmountedlbetweenthe oppesite; ears:.1eby, means-:,of--:pivet; pins 8t} 8fl;.

whereby the jaws .are ;ada pte,d tobeypivotally,

moved towards and away :from each-v othen The jaws .-'l9;+-.-19 :may.be ofgoneepiece construction. However, atwo-piecestructure is pree ferred; which. includes arcuate .j aw; parts, proper 8 I1,8! and arm parts. 82+82r; 'Thelatter are:

pivoted 1 between .the. opposite; ears 13-48mm have the areuate. jaws 1,,81: removably ,securede thereto f or instance, by means ofbolts. as clearly j shown in! Fig.13; 1 Replacementof the arcuate, jaws; 3 i.-8 l v in .the: eventeof rbre'akage, wear 012 other difficulties, including change in spring size tobe handled, is readily accomplished. For: effecting pivotal movement\ of jaws. as above explained; an actuating member 83;; in the form-of a rod,'lis-;slidably mounted 'in a bearing openingv provided, .in :the flange Tl" adjacent the v lowerend-of the ,sleeve;.'l5. The upper end ofthe actuating member 83flislslidablylmounted in'. a suitable bearing-- openingrprovided in a member .84. This cap member is :rnounted on the; upper .end of the sleeve; by meansof screw threadas clearly shownin Fi'g. -15: 'Thelower. endof. the V, actuating member 83=iispprovided with v oppositely.- facing sets of gear-teeth as indicatedat .%352 which v; consti;tute racks; adapted to, engage with gear segments, 86'-8c6, formed integral with the jaw arms 821-82, It twill be. seen that by reciprocaticn of theactuatingmember -83; the jaws will, be caused to close-wandppene Alspringeiil-fis dis s p sediasounde hi act atin ;membehsssinside of tends to move -the a K and thereby t s -;aclosed ;;pesiti on a shown in- Figs. 13; and 15..

Means m ni ter ng; hea tu tine em er :1

wnwardl q iopenvthe jaws wi ee-de r b d.

s bseq tly Matias 1 f i; rip er t during to, the knotter D; is

e em.- is n lu es a k r; herwi non-r a? t svefii s F 13 d r segment 39 meshes withia pini on -ini l e 1 aft; bo1t- 92 The gear 9!. isarrangedto -vitha rack filf WhiQh iS mounted on one: qeside rails 52 [Theragik 9|" ismounted 50;

as to be longitudinally fixed with respect to the travel of the carriage, 5Q; but soras. to be di splace-h e 1 transversely of the carriag e, The means for, gountiesrt elra k 9!: duc ee- 'mQ W11 a isflpivotally fnounted adjacent 1 ..j shown. at 94 4' (see Fig; 15) on-the Q.

site its ends, a ,springde rma y. urging thebrac e, d racig 9 i; to. move" inwardly of thecar 11te,-.ines11 with,the, 59!. Under nor-Q d ti s theg e tlfi L ai' q the ,rack ,nieshva nd einwardmovenient-of the QSMQQ th influm a ft es its-limit? 4, In the.,. eveht, that sufficientresistance is, offeredgtc r' event rotation-of the gripper G the spring permit ,the rack 9 i to be forced y utzotmes rwi hltheeea L-th y preventing possible hrealgagej or other damage tot certa n partslpf. the me; w en grippers Gf arid be -01", substantially rthe sarneflconstruqtion as above described 'The gripper jaw opening-and closing mechanism The mechanism-for-efiecting operation of the actu-ating-lmember 83-:and gripper jaws 19-19 includes a'rock'lever 91 (see Figs. 7, 11 15) which is pivotaliy -mounted at" one end as indicated at SBstOYthefr-ee end of a '1ink;99, the other end of which is pivotally mounted as indicated at 19!] anther-carriage 50.: The free end of the rock leven elxisiprovidediwith abalL-headed-stud ill I which is adjustably mounted inthe enlarged 

